Mechanism for forming a scallop fringe



B. L. CHAMBERS MECHANISM FOR FORMING A SCALLOP FRINGE Filed Jan. 31,1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Bynom Z,. C/mmers flrf/wr A. Marc ZATTOENEY 1967 B. CHAMBERS 3,301,204

MECHANISM FOR FORMING A SCALLOP FRINGE I I Filed Jan. 31, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. -gyro/77 L. aka/06ers United States Pat fi O M3,301,204 MECHANISM FOR FORMING A SCALLO FRINGE x Bynom L. Chambers,Dalton, Ga., assignor to Bell industries, Inc., New York, N.Y., acorporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 31, 1964, Ser. No. 341,541 13 Claims.(Cl. 112-64) This invention relates in general to an apparatus forserging and fringing and more specifically to a serging machine providedwith means for forming a scalloped edge or fringe on a'bedspread, rug orsimilar articles of manufacture.

'An object of this invention is to provide a relatively simple andinexpensive meansto be accommodated by a serging machine which enablesthe machine to form a scalloped edge 'or fringe of an article such as abedspread or the like.

'Another object is to provide means for a serging machine which enablesit to be capable of mechanically controlling the feed of theyarn in suchmanner as to produce a scalloped edge or fringe. I

A further object is to provide a fringing mechanism for use inconnection with a serging machine which cams can be utilized to formfringes of various shapes and designs with simple adjustments.

A feature of the present invention is the provision of a fringingmechanism for forming a scalloped edge or fringe that can be easilyapplied to existing serging machines.

.Another feature is the provision of a novel fringing mechanism soconstructed and arranged as to vary the speed of the scallop repeat.

.Still a further feature is the provision of a fringing mechanism whichincludes a pair of cooperating feed rollers having inclined rollingsurfaces for varying the linear feed of the fringing yarn to the yarnguide adjacent the sewing station.

Another feature is the provision of a fringing mechanism for producing ascalloped fringe edge that is relatively simple in construction,inexpensive to fabricate and positive in operation.

The objects, features and advantages of this invention are attained by afringing mechanism that can be readily formed either as an attachment toa conventional serging machine or as an integral part of a new sergingmachine. Essentially the mechanism or means for forming a scalloped edgefringe comprises a pair of cooperating feed rollers which are disposedin driving relationship with respect to one another for feeding the yarnto an air operated yarn guide disposed adjacent to the sewing needles ofthe serging machine. Each of the feed rollers are provided with aninclined surface which are disposed in rolling and driving engagementwith respect to one another. One ofthe feed rollers is operativelyconnected with the main drive of the serging machines through a suitablebelt drive connection for driving the other feed rollers. Means forguiding the fringe yarn laterally between the inclined surfaces of thefeed rollers to vary the linear feed of the yarn during the operation ofthe machine are cooperatively associated with the feed rollers. Thelateral or transverse movement of the yarn in a predetermined mannerbetween the feed rollers is attained by a rotary camhaving a variabledrive connection with the main drive of the machine. An actuator slidemeans operatively connected to the yarn carrier is associated with therotary cam. The construction of the mechanism of the present inventionis such that the rotary motion of the cam is transformed to areciprocating motion of the yarn carrier. Inoperation, the rotary cameffects back and'fourth movement of the yarn between the inclineddriving surfaces of the feed rollers whereby the amount of linear feedof the yarn isvaried accordingly. A specific fringe design is repeatedupon each revolution of the cam. The speed with which the scallop orfringe design repeats is controlled by the variable driveinterconnecting the rotary cam with the main drive of the sergingmachine.

Other features and advantages are set forth in the followingspecification taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: I

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a serging machine utilizing thefringing mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a left end .view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates, a; plan view-of thescalloped edge or chine foretfectinga serging stitch operation on an article of manufacture, as forexample a bedspread, rug, mat and the like. j

" Generally the serging machine 10 comprises a standard 11 whichformsthe housing for the operating components of the machine as is well knownto those skilled in the art.

The operating componentsof the serging machine 10 are rendered operativethrough a main drive shaft 12 which is driven by suitable power source,as for example an electric motor (not shown); through .a suitable driveconnection, e.g'. a flexible belt 13.

In accordance with'the present invention articles may be edged with ascalloped fringe design using the same basic structure found in sewingmachines effecting a serging stitchoperation by'the provision of a novelfringing mechanism 14. i Y

Essentially, the fringing mechanism 14 of the instant inventioncomprisesa pair of cooperating feed rollers 15, 16 each of which is provided withtapering or inclined surfaces disposed in rolling engagement and throughwhich the fringe forming yarn 17 is fed to a yarn guide 18 disposedadjacent the sewing needle 19 which performs the serging stitch. In theillustrated embodiment the yarn guide 18 comprises an air nozzle 20through which compressed air is directed for feeding the yarn 17threaded therethr'ough to the sewing stationofthe machine, as forexample, as disclosed in a cope-nding application Serial No. 186,956,filed April 12, 1962, and now Patent No. 3,188,990. Means operativelyassociated with the'feed I rollers 16, 17 move the yarn laterally'ortransversely across the width thereof so that the linear feed of theyarn 17 to the air nozzle 20 is varied in accordance to a predeterminedpattern to accomplish a desired finished scalloped fringe edge design.

In the illustrated embodiment the respective feed rollers I 15, 16include a master or drive roller 15 and a cooperating idler or drivenroller 16. Each of the rollers 15, 16 as illustrated are substantiallyconical, and are disposed sothat theinclined surfaces thereof aredisposed in rolling engagement .with respect to onev another. Ifdesired,

the surface of the drive roller 15 may be knurled to pro-- vide for amore positive feed of the yarn 17 as therebetween. The master or; driveroller 15 is journalled on one end of a yarn feed shaft 21. The otherend of the yarn feed shaft 21 is fitted with a pulley or sprocket 22over which a belt or chain drive 23 connects the same in drivingrelationship with a pulley or sprocket 24 fixed to the main drive shaft12 of the machine. A suitable lock' nut 25 secures the master roller 15to the end of the yarn shaft 21.

tatably journalled onto a shaft 26 which is secured to the end of themachine. A collar 27 secures the idler roller 16 to the shaft 26. Ifdesired, the idler roller 16 may be biased by a spring 16A placed underit under spring tension so that it can be normally urged against theyarn 17 and held tight in engagement against the master feed roller 15.

Mounted on the top of the machine by a suitable bracket 28 is the meansfor determining or controlling the design and the position of thefringing yarn relative to the fee-d rollers so that linear feed of theyarn 17 can be controlled in accordance with the predetermined scallopedfringe design. The means comprises a speed reducer 29 which is drivinglyconnected to the yarn feed shaft 21'|by a drive connection. The driveconnection includes a variable speed pulley 30 connected to the inputshaft 31 of a'speed reducing means; and a belt 32 connecting thevariable speed pulley 30 to a pulley 33 on the yarn feed shaft 21.

' Connected to the output shaft 34 of the speed reducing means 29 is arotating cam 35. As shown, the periphery 35A of the rotating cam isshaped to define a. given or predetermined scalloped fringing design,whereupon the design is repeated on each revolution of the cam 35. Inthe illustrated embodiment itvwill be noted that the cam issubstantially heart shaped. Accordingly one.revolution of the rotary cam35 will define fringe length that is repeated on each revolution of thecam as noted in FIG, 3. Therefore, as it will be readily understood,each revolution of the rotary cam 35 will repeat the scalloped fringedesign.

Adiacent to the speed reducer 29 there is provided a slide housing 36inwhich an actuating slide 37 is reciproca-lly mounted. Connected toone'side of the slide 37 is a cam :follower 38- which is arranged to be;disposed in carnming relationship to the peripheral cam edge 35A of therotary cam 35. A spring means 39, anchored at one end to the actuatingslide 37 and at; its other end to the bracket 28, maintains the camfollower 38 in camming engagement with the-rotary cam 35 at all times.It will therefore :be noted that due to the specific shape or con tourof the rotary cam 35, the slide 37 will have imparted thereto areciprocating movement on'each revolution of the earn. 1 i F Oonnectedto the side of the machine is a second slide housing 40in which anoperating slide 41 is reciprocally mounted, Fixed to the outer end ofthe operating slide 41 is a yarn carrier 42 Which is provided with aneye or opening 43 in the end thereof through which the fringing yarrr17is threaded prior to .the passage thereof e"- tween the feed rollers 15,16. Y

Accordingly, the movement of the actuating slide 37 is transmittedtotheoperating slide41 through a connecting rod 44, which has itsendshconnected to the respective slides. Thus, in operatiom it will benoted that the rotation of the cam 35 will impart a reciprocal movementto the yarn carrier 42 causing the yarn.17 threaded theret-hrough totravel a path transversely between the respective feed rollers 15, 16.Consequently, as the yarn 17 is moved later-ally between the feedrollers and toward the base end of the master feed roller 15, morelinear feed of the yarn 17 is delivered to the air nozzle of the yarnguide 18. As yarn moves laterally between the feed rollers 15, 16 towardtheapex end or the master or drive rollers 15, less linear feed of theyarn 17 is had. Thus the linear feed of the yarn isprogressively'increased or diminished as the yarn carrier 42reciproca-tes in response .to the rotation. of the cam 35 during machineoperation; Thus, the rotation of the cam 35 determines the variouslength of fringe loops 45 to form a scalloped fringed design 46, asshown in FIG. 3'.

While the rotary cam is specifically shaped to give a fringed design asshown inFIG. 3, it will be readily apparent that by changing the contourof the rotary cam 3 5, the ultimate fringe design can be variedaccordingly. Therefore, fringe design can be varied merely bysubstituting one rotary cam shape for that of another. Therefore, aninfinite variation of scalloped designs is rendered possible with theinstant scalloped fringing mechanism 14 merely by substituting onerotary cam shape for that of another.

While the instant invention has been described with reference to aparticular embodiment thereof, it will be: readily understood andappreciated that variations and modifications thereof be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the instant invention.

1, For use with a serging machine having a sewing station, a fringingmechanism for forming various patterned scalloped fringe edges onmaterial comprising:

(a) means positively engaging a fringing yarn for forcibly feeding theyarn at a variable linear speed to the sewing station of the sergingmachine,

(b) and control means for controlling the operation of said feedingmeans in selected fashion corresponding to predetermined patterns toaccomplish a desired finished scalloped fringe edge.

2. A fringing mechanism varying the length of feed of the fringe formingyarn to form a scalloped fringe edge, said mechanism including:

(a) a pair of complementary feed rollers having inclined surfacesdisposed in driving relationship with respect to one another,

(b) means for driving said rollers to linear feed said yarn,

(0) means for moving the yarn transversely between the rolling surfacesof the rollers in a back and forth motion to progressively vary thelength of yarn fed,

(d) and means operatively associated with said yarn moving means todetermine the transverse movement thereof of said yarn. I

3. For use in combination witha fringing and serging machine, theimprovement of means of varying the length of feed of the fringe formingyarn to form a scalloped fringe edge, said'means including:

- (a) a pair of complementaryfeed rollers having inclined surfacesdisposed in driving relationship with respect to' one another,

(b) means for connecting one of said driving means of said machine,

(c) means for moving the yarn transversely between the rolling surfacesof the rollers in a back and forth motion-wherebythe linear length'ofyarn fed to the sewing-station of the machine is varied,

-' (d) and means operatively associated with said yarn moving means todetermine the movement thereof so "as to effect a repeating scallopedfringe.

4. For use with a sewing maehine having a sewing station, .a fringingmechanism for forming a scalloped fringe comprising:

(a) means engaging'the fringing yarn for guiding the fringing yarn tothe sewing station of the machine to define the fringe loop,

(b) means positively engaging the fringing yarn for forcibly feeding thefringing yarn to said guiding means,

(c) means positively engaging't he fringing yarn for moving the fringingyarn through said feeding'means to'vary the length of yarn fed to saidguide means,

((1) and means for controlling the moving means to effect a scallopedfringed end in accordance with n a predetermined pattern.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said means for feedingincludes: A

(a) a pair of complementary feed rollers in whichat least one of saidrollers has an inclined rolling surface in rolling engagement with therollingsurface of the other of-said roller. 1 v

rollers to the 6. The invention as defined'in claim 4 wherein said meansof limitation (d) includes:

(a) a rotary cam.

7. For use with a sewing machine having a sewing station, a fringingattachment for forming a scalloped fringe comprising:

(a) means engaging the fringing yarn for guiding the fringing yarn tothe sewing station to define the fringe loop,

(b) means engaging the fringing y-arn fo-r forcibly feeding the fringingyarn to said guiding means,

(c) means engaging the fringing yarn for moving the fringing yarnthrough said feeding means to vary the length of yarn fed to said guidemeans,

(d) means for controlling the ,moving means to effect a scallopedfringed end in accordance with a predetermined pattern, s

(e) and means for varying the speed at which said control means isoperated.

8. A fringing mechanism for forming a scalloped fringed edge comprising:

(a) means for mounting said mechanism t-o'a sewing machine,

(b) a pair of conically shaped feed rollers disposed in drivingrelationship with respect to one another for feeding the fringing yarntherebetween,

() means drivingly connecting one of said rollers to the main drive ofthe machine,

(d)m-eans for moving the yarn back and forth between the feed rollers,

(c) said latter means including yarn carrier,

(f) means for reciprocating said yarn carrier to shift the yarn relativeto the driving surface of said feed rollers whereby the length of yarnfed thereby is varied,

(g) and means for repeating the cycle of said reciprocating means toform a scalloped edge,

9. A fringing mechanism for forming a scalloped fringed edge comprising:

(a) means for mounting said mechanism to a sewing machine,

(b) a pair of feed rollers, each of said feed rollers havingcomplementary inclined surfaces disposed in driving relationship withrespect to one another for feeding the fringing yarn,

(0) means drivingly connecting one of said rollers to the main drive ofthe machine,

(d) means for moving the yarn back and forth between the inclinedsurfaces of said feed rollers whereby the linear feed of the yarn isvaried accordingly,

(c) said latter means including yarn carrier,

(f) means for reciprocating said yarn carrier to shift the yarntransversely between the driving surfaces of said feed rollers wherebythe length of yarn fed is in proportion to the incline of said surfaces,

(g) and means for repeating the cycle of said reciprocating means toform a scalloped edge.

10. A fringing mechanism for use on a serging machine to form ascalloped fringe along the marginal edge of a bedspread, rug or the likecomprising:

(a) a pair of conically shaped feed rollers having their inclinedsurfaces disposed in rolling engagement,

(b) one of said rollers adapted to be connected in driving relationshipto the main drive of the serging machine,

(c) yarn carrier means for moving the yarn laterally between saidrollers to vary the linear feed of the yarn accordingly,

(d) and means for effecting movement of said yarn carrier,

(c) said latter means including a reciprocating slide having a connectedcam follower,

(f) a rotary cam disposed in camming engagement with said cam follower,

" '(g) means connecting said rotary cam in driving relationship to thedrive of said machine,

(h) and means interconnecting said slide to said yarn carrier wherebythe latter is rendered responsive to the movement of the former.

' 11. In combination: (a) asewing machine having a main drive shaft andsewing station including a reciprocating needle,

(b) a fringing mechanism on said machine for forming a scalloped fringededge,

(c) said mechanism including an air nozzle for guiding the yarn tothesewing station,

(d) means for feeding the fringing yarn to said air nozzle,

(e) said feeding means including (f) a master feed roller having aconical surface,

(g) a yarn feed shaft, said master feed roller being connected to theyarn feed shaft,

(h) means connecting said yarn feed shaft into driving. relationship tothe main drive shaft of said machine whereby said master feed roller isdriven thereby,

(i) a complementary idler feed roller having a conical surface disposedin driving engagmeent with said master feed roller,

(j) said feed rollers being in opposed driving relationship,

(k) means for carrying the fringing yarn to said feed rollers and formoving the yarn transversely between said rollers during operation ofthe machine whereby the linear feed of the yarn is varied accordingly todefine the scalloped edge,

(1) a cooperating reciprocating operating slide bar,

(rn) a yarn carrier connected to said operating slide bar for movementtherewith to move said yarn transversely between said rollers,

(n) a reciprocating mounted actuating slide bar,

(0) a connecting rod securing said actuating slide to said operatingslide whereby former movement is transmitted to the latter,

(p) and means for repeating the reciprocating cycle of said operatingslide,

(q) said latter means including a rotary cam having a predetermined camcontour,

(r) means for connecting said cam in driving relationship to the maindrive of said machine,

(s) and a cam follower connected to said actuating slide bar,

(t) and means for urging said cam follower in engagement with thecamming edge of said cam whereby said cam effects displacement of saidactuating slide bar accordingly.

12. In combination:

(a) a sewing machine having a main drive shaft and sewing stationincluding a reciprocating needle, (b) a fringing attachment for forminga scalloped fringed edge,

(c) said attachment including an air nozzle for guiding the yarn to thesewing station,

(d) means for feeding the fringing yarn to said air nozzle,

(c) said feeding means including,

(f) a master feed roller, said feed roller having a conical surface,

(g) a yarn feed shaft, said master feed roller being connected to theyarn feed shaft,

(h) means connecting said yarn feed shaft into driving relationship tothe main drive shaft of said machine, so that said master feed roller isdriven thereby,

(i) a complementary idler feed roller having a conical surface disposedin driving engagement with said master feed roller,

(j) said feed rollers having therein respective base portions in opposeddriving relationship,

('k) means for, carrying the fringing yarntosaid feed forcibly'feedingit at variable -linear speeds to the rollers, sewing station of theserging machine,

(1) anoperating slide bar connected to said yarn car- (b) means engagingthe yarn for guiding it to the ier, feeding means in selective fashionso as to vary the (m) a reciprocating actuating slide bar, 5- length ofyarnfed by the feeding means,

(11) a rod connecting said actuating slide to said oper- (c) and controlmeans controlling said guide means ating slide whereby the reciprocationof the actuatin accordance with predetermiend patterns to acing bar istransmitted to the operating bar, complish' a desired finished scallopedfringe edge.

(0) and means for reciprocating said actuating slide, References Citedby the Examiner (p) said latter means including a rotary cam, 10 1 Y (q)means for connecting said cam in driving relation- UNITED STATES PATENTSship to the drive of said machine, 970,617 9/1910 De Ferranti 57-90 (1')a cam follower arranged to engage Said Cam 001 1,162,498 11/1915 Loeb112-423 nected to said actuating slide bar, 1,898,085 2/1933 Dreyfus eta1. 57-91 X (s) and means for urging said cam follower in engage- 15 2912,945 11/1959 N i ki 57 91 X ment'Wilh the camming edge of' said camwhereby 3,084,643 4/1963 Caylor 112-64 said cam effects displacement ofsaid actuating slide 3,086,347 4/1963 K t 1, 57 91 X bar accordingly. I

13. For use with a serging machine having asewing PATRICK LAWSON u a- 1station, a fringing mechanism for forming various pat- 20 ROBERT V.SLOAN, JORDON FRANKLIN,

terned scalloped fringe edges on material comprising: Examiners.

(a) means positively engaging a fringing yarn for R. J. SCANLAN,JR.,'Assistant Examiner.

1. FOR USE WITH A SERGING MACHINE HAVING A SEWING STATION, A FRINGINGMECHANISM FOR FORMING VARIOUS PATTERNED SCALLOPED FRINGE EDGES ONMATERIAL COMPRISING: (A) MEANS POSITIVELY ENGAGING A FRINGIONG YARN FORFORCIBLY FEEDING THE YARN AT A VARIABLE LINEAR SPEED TO THE SEWINGSTATION OF THE SERGING MACHINE, (B) AND CONTROL MEANS FOR CONTROLLINGTHE OPERATION OF SAID FEEDING MEANS IN SELECTED FASHION CORRESPONDING TOPREDETERMINED PATTERNS TO ACCOMPLISH A DESIRED FINISHED SCALLOPED FRINGEEDGE.